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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.10.2015 MinutesA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY Hagerstown, Maryland March 10, 2015 The Commissioners attended the State of the City presentation from 7:15 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at Fountain Head Country Club, 13316 Fountain Head Road, Hagerstown, sponsored by the Hagerstown -Washington County Chamber of Commerce. BUDGET PRESENTATION AND LUNCHEON WITH THE WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Commissioners attended a luncheon and budget presentation at 1:00 p.m. hosted by the Washington County Free Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Myers offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, to order at 2:52 p.m. in the County Administration Building located at 100 West Washington Street, Room 227, Hagerstown, with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. and William J. Wivell. Commissioner John F. Barr was absent. REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Health and Human Services — Advertise to Fill Vacant Countv Positions Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services, requested permission to advertise internally for five days and then externally if needed to fill two Grade 8, 9-1-1 Call Taker positions in the Emergency Services Department. Commissioner Cline, seconded by Myers, moved to advertise to fill the positions as presented. The motion passed unanimously. FISCAL YEAR 2016 BUDGET DISCUSSION — WATER OUALITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY Water Ouality Julie Pippel, Director, Division of Environmental Management, presented an overview of the FY 2016 Department of Water Quality budget that includes water and sewer rates. The total expected revenue for the Utility Fund is $4,064,780, representing an overall increase of 2.4%. The Water Fund of $1,281,830 represents an overall increased percentage of 4.17%, and Sewer Fund of $10,889,755, representing an overall decrease of 0.29%. Ms. Pippel reviewed the proposed water and sewer rates for FY 2016 that show an increase per quarter for the average residential user of 3.0% (or $4.67) for water and 3.5% (or $4.98) for sewer. Similar increases are proposed for other user classes. She indicated that March 10, 2015 Page 2 if the Commissioners agree, a public hearing would be held on April 7 regarding the proposed water rates and sewer rates. The Commissioners reached a consensus to hold a public hearing regarding the proposed water and sewer rates on that date later in the day to allow the public a better opportunity to attend. Julie Pippel provided details of the budget that includes salary and benefits savings related to the 2014 reorganization within the division. She discussed the major changes under the utility fund's general operating budget. Commissioner Wivell posed several questions regarding the utility administration charge category and requested information on the water fund balance. Ms. Pippel noted that water and sewer rates would continue to increase annually as programmed through the ten-year financial model adopted in 1996 and updated annually. County Administrator Greg Murray indicated that the water and sewer funds would begin to break even in 2020 as part of the long-term twenty-year plan. Currently, excess fund balances are used for rate stabilization purposes; the funds will become self- sufficient on an annual basis when the initial 96A bond issue is fully paid. Public Safetv Kevin Lewis, Director, Division of Emergency Services, and Dale Hill, President, Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (WCVFRA), presented the FY 2016 budget for the Public Safety—Emergency Services category. Mr. Lewis reviewed the proposed $13,276,900 budget that represents a 2.47% increase over the current budget covering the Fire and Rescue Volunteer Services, Air Unit, Special Operations, 9-1-1 Communications, Fire and Rescue Operations, and Emergency Management categories. Dale Hill reviewed the Fire and Rescue Volunteer Services budget category proposed to increase by 1.27% to $7,146,010 of the total $13,276,900 Public Safety -Emergency Services budget, mainly due to appropriations including full funding of the Fire Plan, a personnel request to handle Workers Compensation claims and computer software for a web -based Firehouse Software system. A decrease of 35% in Workers Compensation costs was attributed to the participation of members taking physicals and the safety committee operating within the WCVFRA helping to offset proposed increases in budgetary requests. Kevin Lewis discussed the successful implementation of Phase I of the Fire and Rescue Plan begun in FYI to assist volunteer fire companies through the reimbursement of fuel costs and equipment maintenance, and to help volunteer companies maintain adequate response time, which includes hiring paid personnel when necessary. The Commissioners discussed the information presented. Commissioner Myers requested figures from staff regarding Workers Compensation claims the past few years. Commissioner Wivell asked about staffing, duties, and call volumes of the Special Operations Unit and the request for funds to cover a part-time overnight position. Commissioner Baker requested funding in the budget to purchase an additional grain bin/silo rescue kit. A March 10, 2015 Page 3 CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to convene in closed session at 4:06 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, and/or performance evaluation of appointees, employees or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; and to discuss any other personnel matters that affect one or more specific individuals, in accordance with Section 3-305(b) (1) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The motion passed unanimously. In closed session, the Commissioners discussed several specific County employee matters/personnel recommendations with County staff. During closed session, the Commissioners provided specific direction to County staff regarding several specific County employee matters/personnel recommendations. Present during closed session were Commissioners Terry L. Baker, Jeffrey A. Cline, and LeRoy E. Myers, Jr., and William J. Wivell. Also present were Gregory Murray, County Administrator; Sarah Sprecher, Assistant County Administrator; Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk; John Martirano, County Attorney; and at various times Stephanie Stone, Director, Health and Human Services, Dan DiVito, Deputy Director, Water Quality; Julie Pippel, Director, Division of Environmental Management; and Ed Plank, Director, Highway Department. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to reconvene in open session. The motion passed unanimously. RECESS The Commissioners recessed at 4:33 p.m. EVENING MEETING — TOWN OF HANCOCK An evening meeting of Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, was held at Hancock Town Hall, 126 West High Street, Hancock. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Myers offered the Invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by the full assemblage. CALL TO ORDER President Terry L. Baker called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. with the following members present: Vice President Jeffrey A. Cline and Commissioners LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. and William J. Wivell. Commissioner John F. Barr was absent. March 10, 2015 Page 4 COMMISSIONERS REPORTS AND COMMENTS Commissioner Myers congratulated Mayor Daniel Murphy and council members who were successful in the recent town election. Commissioner Wivell thanked the town for hosting the Commissioners' meeting. Commissioner Cline reported attending the anniversary event for the Hancock Community Life Center. He congratulated the First Hose Fire Company of Hagerstown for its 200 years of service. Commissioner Cline along with Commissioner Baker attended the Hancock Youth Basketball program and Hancock Volunteer Fire Company banquet. Commissioner Cline attended the State of the City presentation this morning with his fellow Commissioners and staff. He reminded all of the upcoming March of Dimes March for Babies walk on April 25. Commissioner Baker attended the State of the City presentation this morning for the City of Hagerstown. He also attended the Hancock Youth Basketball program at Hancock High School. He enjoyed the Hancock Volunteer Fire Company banquet. Mr. Baker congratulated the newly -elected officials in Hancock. MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayor Daniel Murphy welcomed the Commissioners to Hancock. He discussed positive aspects of the town including park acreages and events held in the administration building such as exercise classes, plays, and concerts. Hospice of Washington County is a new tenant in the building that also houses the Senior Center. The mayor discussed economic development opportunities in the town including the vacant Evolve facility and projects being developed by local entrepreneur Gerry Spessard. The town is looking forward to its planned new library. Mayor Murphy discussed the town's hybrid system to offer convenience for private building inspection services. Commissioner Myers expressed his desire to have the County assist the town with third party inspections and perhaps use a similar system countywide. Mayor Murphy and Town Manager David Smith discussed a proposal to allow a company involved in various aspects of recycling to relocate its operations to the former landfill transfer site in Hancock owned by the County. The County would receive trash and recyclables for its waste to energy project and the town would receive income from the company. Mayor Murphy and the Commissioners discussed plans for the new town library to be built in the park. Council member Ralph Salvagno thanked the Commissioners for opposing the recent proposal by the Department of Natural Resources to charge fees for use of C&O Canal property. He expressed concern regarding the Hancock School Resource Officer, shared with Clear Spring High School, who spends most of his time at Clear Spring. Council member Homer Schetrompf shared concerns regarding various road conditions in the Hancock area. Council member Levi Little introduced himself. March 10, 2015 Page 5 REPORTS FROM COUNTY STAFF Public Works Jim Sterling, Public Works Director, reported on the number of vehicles and materials used during last week snow's event. Cost estimates were approximately $207,000. Countv Administrator County Administrator Greg Murray commented on economic development efforts in the town. He congratulated the town's newly elected officials. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION There was no one present who wished to participate. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Myers, seconded by Cline, moved to adjourn at 8:03 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Grego B. Mu ay, Cott rit�Administrator John M. Martirano, County Attot 171 (2. �- - Vicki C. Lumm, County Clerk